Topical Encyclopedia Longing, a deep and persistent desire or yearning, is a theme that resonates throughout the Bible. It reflects the human condition and the innate desire for connection with God, fulfillment, and the realization of divine promises. This entry explores the concept of longing as depicted in the Scriptures, highlighting its spiritual significance and implications for believers.Longing for God The Psalms frequently express a profound longing for God, portraying the psalmists' deep desire for His presence and guidance. Psalm 42:1-2 captures this sentiment vividly: "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?" This imagery of thirst and longing underscores the soul's innate need for communion with the Creator. Similarly, Psalm 63:1 declares, "O God, You are my God; earnestly I seek You. My soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You, in a dry and weary land without water." Here, the psalmist's longing is portrayed as an earnest pursuit of God, emphasizing the necessity of His presence in the believer's life. Longing for Righteousness and Justice The Bible also speaks of a longing for righteousness and justice, reflecting God's character and the believer's desire to see His will manifested on earth. In Matthew 5:6, Jesus proclaims, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." This beatitude highlights the promise that those who earnestly seek righteousness will find satisfaction in God's provision. The prophets often voiced a longing for justice, as seen in Isaiah 26:8-9: "Yes, in the path of Your judgments, O LORD, we wait for You; Your name and renown are the desire of our souls. My soul longs for You in the night; indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently." This passage reflects a deep yearning for God's righteous judgments and His ultimate vindication. Longing for Redemption and Restoration The theme of longing extends to the anticipation of redemption and restoration. The Apostle Paul articulates this in Romans 8:23, where he writes, "Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." This longing for the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan is a central aspect of Christian hope. In the Old Testament, the longing for restoration is evident in the exilic and post-exilic periods. The Israelites yearned for the return to their homeland and the rebuilding of the temple, as expressed in Psalm 137:1: "By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept when we remembered Zion." This longing for restoration is a testament to the enduring hope in God's promises. Longing for Christ's Return The New Testament believers expressed a longing for the return of Jesus Christ, a hope that continues to inspire Christians today. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Paul describes the anticipation of Christ's return: "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." This longing for Christ's return is a source of comfort and motivation for believers, encouraging them to live in readiness and faithfulness. The Apostle John echoes this sentiment in Revelation 22:20, where he records the words of Jesus: "He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!" Conclusion The biblical concept of longing encompasses a deep desire for God, righteousness, justice, redemption, and the return of Christ. It reflects the believer's yearning for a closer relationship with the Creator and the fulfillment of His promises. Through longing, Christians are drawn into a deeper faith and reliance on God's eternal plan. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Long.2. (n.) An eager desire; a craving; a morbid appetite; an earnest wish; an aspiration. Greek 1974. epipothia -- longing ... longing. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: epipothia Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-poth-ee'-ah) Short Definition: longing, eager desire Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1974.htm - 6k 1972. epipothesis -- longing 1939. epithumia -- desire, passionate longing, lust 3715. orexis -- desire, longing 1937. epithumeo -- desire, lust after 603. apokaradokia -- strained expectancy 3713. orego -- to stretch out, to reach after, to yearn for 5355. phthonos -- envy 1971. epipotheo -- to long for Strong's Hebrew 8375. taabah -- a longing... 8374, 8375. taabah. 8376 . a longing. Transliteration: taabah Phonetic Spelling: (tah-ab-aw') Short Definition: longing. Word Origin ... /hebrew/8375.htm - 6k 8669. teshuqah -- a longing 7469. reuth -- longing, striving 7475. rayon -- longing, striving 185. avvah -- desire 8615b. tiqvah -- a hope 5315. nephesh -- a soul, living being, life, self, person, desire ... 6914. Qibroth Hattaavah -- "the graves of desire," a place in the ... 15. abeh -- desire 183. avah -- to incline, desire Library Longing. Longing The Life of Faith Longing for Home. Paul's Longing Of the Longing with which the Old Patriarchs Desired to See the ... Mourning and Longing. Longing for the Courts of the Lord's House. --Ps. Xlii. The Longing of the Heathen for a Saviour. --The Star of the Wise ... The Longing Eyes that Sought the Light Now from this Longing on Both Sides, Nature Wanting God... Thesaurus Longing (40 Occurrences)...Longing (40 Occurrences). Luke 16:21 covered with sores and longing to make a full meal off the scraps flung on the floor from the rich man's table. ... /l/longing.htm - 18k Lust (42 Occurrences) Desire (565 Occurrences) Yearn (4 Occurrences) Envy (56 Occurrences) Zeal (45 Occurrences) Longingly (2 Occurrences) Fond (6 Occurrences) Concern (35 Occurrences) Appetite (22 Occurrences) Resources Should Christians seek after spiritual enlightenment? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Valley of Baca in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What is New Monasticism? | GotQuestions.org Longing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Longing (40 Occurrences)Luke 16:21 John 8:40 Romans 1:11 Romans 1:27 Romans 8:19 Romans 10:1 Romans 15:23 2 Corinthians 5:2 2 Corinthians 7:7 2 Corinthians 7:11 2 Corinthians 9:14 Galatians 5:5 Philippians 2:26 Philippians 3:20 1 Thessalonians 2:8 1 Thessalonians 2:17 1 Thessalonians 3:6 1 Timothy 6:10 2 Timothy 1:4 Hebrews 11:16 Hebrews 13:14 Deuteronomy 28:32 Deuteronomy 28:65 2 Samuel 13:39 Job 6:8 Job 7:2 Psalms 38:9 Psalms 107:9 Psalms 119:20 Psalms 119:81 Psalms 119:82 Psalms 119:123 Psalms 119:131 Proverbs 13:12 Proverbs 13:19 Isaiah 29:8 Jeremiah 44:14 Ezekiel 23:27 Ezekiel 24:21 Amos 5:18 Subtopics Related Terms |
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